Nigerian Army, has dismissed claims of the establishment of a French military base in North East Borno State.
In a statement on Monday, Capt. Reuben Kovangiya, Army Public Relations, OPHK, described the claims as baseless and misleading.
The clarification followed allegations by a social media influencer, Mahdi Shehu, on his X handle, claiming that a French military base had been established in Maiduguri.
Shehu supported his claim with a video showing the acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division, Brig.-Gen. Abubakar Haruna, alongside a foreign officer, who he alleged to be a French military representative.
Kovangiya, however, clarified that the video in question was recorded during a recent press briefing at Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, after the donation of equipment to the army by the British Military Advisory Training Team (BMATT).
“The officer seen in the video is a representative of BMATT, not a French military official.
“The donation, received by the Theatre Commander, Maj.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Oct. 25, was part of an ongoing military partnership with BMATT to strengthen counter-IED capabilities in the theatre of operations,” he said.
Kovangiya emphasised that there was no French military presence in Maiduguri, nor any plans to establish one.
He accused Shehu of deliberately spreading falsehoods and attempting to manipulate public opinion through the use of doctored content.
“The claims made by Shehu Mahdi are baseless misrepresentations and a deliberate attempt to cause misinformation and incite the public.
“Such antics are malicious and aimed at gaining cheap popularity,” he added.
The Defence Headquarters had earlier denied reports that the French military was planning to establish a base in Nigeria.
In a statement by the Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba said the clarification was necessitated due to reports doing the rounds, that French soldiers had arrived in the country.
“The attention of Defence Headquarters has been drawn to online reports alleging the arrival of the first contingent of French soldiers in Maiduguri towards establishing a French Military base in North East Nigeria.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria hereby state unequivocally that this information is fake, totally false and mischievous. It would be recalled that Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa CFR, recently addressed this matter in different media forums. In which he debunked the news and such speculations.”
Buba urged the general public to disregard the news and speculations still making rounds in some quarters.
“It is clear that these are the antics of mischief makers,” he added, saying that nevertheless, the military will continue to carry out its constitutional responsibilities, most professionally and ensure the territorial integrity of Nigeria.
